There’s something wonderful about riding a bicycle and camping. They just go so well together like your morning breakfast of eggs and bacon.
Maybe it’s the fact that you get to connect better with nature. You get to experience the elements of nature from a different level compared to other outdoor activities.
Or maybe it’s because you get to be active while also having fun.
At any rate, though it’s definitely a rewarding experience, it is also an activity you should not belittle. But you know what? You came to the right place! Here, we are going to give you 5 tips that you should keep in mind if you’re planning to ride your bicycle to a camping site.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s begin!
Tip Number 1: Do your research
Whether you are already an expert in this field or you are a newbie, one thing that you should never forget for sure is to do your research! So what are the things you should research on?
First things first, research about the route you will be taking. We’re telling you, it’s better to know now that the road ahead is blocked than to learn about it when you get there. You’ll save much more time. Also, you might want to decide whether you’ll take the longer route with more sceneries or the quicker one with less view. Here are some great places to camp and bike to get you started. Oh, don’t forget to ensure there are spots where you can stop, refuel, and pee as well.
Next, it won’t hurt to check the weather forecast on the day of your adventure. It’s simple. You need to prepare the appropriate gears and clothes suitable for the weather.
Other things you can learn about ahead of time are whether the camping sites and/or roads to it are on higher elevations, and if there are wild animals around or on the way.
Note: Avoid feeding wild animals as much as possible.
Tip Number 2: Prepare your goods and gears
Pack up your bags early! It’ll be better to make a checklist of all the essentials and even the extra stuff you want and able to carry. Some of the things you should not forget to bring are your patch kit, tent tools and materials, bike pump, multi-purpose tool (i.e. Swiss Army knife), toiletries, trash bags, cooking kit, biodegradable dishwashing kit, and light sourceSSS. Don’t forget to also save space for your emergency kit, first aid kit, and signaling devices such as cell phone, radio transmitter, GPS beacon, etc.
After that, visit your favorite bicycle mechanic or whoever you consult to ensure that your bicycle is working in mint condition. You can actually tune it up yourself if you have the skills. Make sure that the tire pressure and brakes of your bicycle are working properly.
Tip Number 3: Be healthy!
Of course, you need to make sure that you keep yourself in top condition too! This trip will be like a marathon so you need to gather as much strength and energy as you can. On top of that, you will also be more susceptible to stress and illnesses during your travel.
But do not fret! With a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep, you’ll be ready for your journey. Just make sure that you prioritize these three before, during, and after your trip.
And speaking of sleep, this is actually an essential aspect to consider when bike camping. Sleep enables you to enjoy the touring experience better. So, make sure that you’ll also get good and enough sleep on the camping site. Pack some earplugs or eye masks if you need to.
Tip Number 4: Replenish yourself properly
Food and water are some of the most important factors you need to consider in riding your bicycle to a camping site.
Now, let’s talk about food. You need to decide whether you’ll cook or not. Both of which have their own pros and cons. But the decision may heavily rely on your budget, dietary needs, and preferences. If you don’t want to cook, then that’s fine. Some people actually survive on corn dogs and trail mixes on their bike camping. But of course, if you are strict with your diet, then you may opt to cook. Just take note that this will also entail heavier loads for you as you need to carry your own cooking equipment and ingredients.
In any case, it may still be better to carry extra snacks. Make sure to tuck away some protein bars in case you are left with no other food sources. Vegan? Then you might wanna check out some recipes by Vegan Liftz. They actually offer some camping food ideas you might want to check out. Find out more on this page.
As for water, it is better to have too much than too little of it even if this will make your load a little heavier. Also, make sure that you account for the amount of water you’ll use for cooking.
Tip Number 5: Practice a.k.a. have your own campout in your backyard
And last, but definitely not least, don’t forget to practice. As with any other outdoor activity, practicing helps you view something in a new light. It will also help you know ahead of time which skills you need to hone or even which items you need to add in your list of essentials.
You may do this by setting up a camp in your backyard and trying to stay there for the night. Riding your bicycle around your town will also give you an idea about your endurance.
And that’s it! We hope that we were able to help you have a safer and more enjoyable adventure.
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